In yet another effort to fight the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United States Senate approved this Thursday (19) a package of almost US$ 40 billion (more than R$ 198 billion) in aid for Kiev. It is Washington’s biggest aid to date and will include military, economic and humanitarian assistance.
The measure received broad bipartisan support and passed 86 to 11 — all votes against, however, were by Republican senators.
“This is a big package and it will meet the great needs of the Ukrainian people as they fight for their survival,” Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, urging support ahead of the vote.
“By approving this emergency aid, the Senate can now say to the Ukrainian people: aid is on the way. Real help. Significant help. Help that can ensure that the Ukrainians are victorious,” he added.
The package includes US$ 6 billion (almost R$ 30 billion) for security, including training, equipment, weapons and military support; US$8.7 billion (R$43 billion) to replenish US stockpiles of equipment sent to Ukraine and US$3.9 billion (R$19 billion) for operations by the US Armed Forces European Command.
It also includes US$5 billion (R$24.6 billion) to address food insecurity caused by the conflict and nearly US$9 billion (R$44.4 billion) for an economic support fund for Ukraine.
It is not the first time that the US has sent financial aid to Kiev. In March, a few weeks after the Russian invasion, Congress passed a $14 billion package.
Initially, the US government was limited to sending weapons to Ukraine and later it started to supply artillery, helicopters and drones to the country’s army. As fighting spread across Ukrainian territory, moving away from the capital, Biden ended up calling for another round of support for Congress in April.
The House of Representatives had already passed the bill that includes supplemental spending on May 10, but the proposal stalled in the Senate after Republican Rand Paul did not authorize the request for a quick vote. Democrats are in the majority, but House rules require unanimous approval so a vote can move more quickly.
In a letter, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin appealed to congressional leaders, saying the fund used to send weapons to Kiev was only available until this Thursday.
With the approval of the new package, US aid to Ukraine exceeds $50 billion since the start of the Russian invasion.
In addition to financial support, Biden has struggled to demonstrate his endorsement of Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership, breaking decades of Nordic neutrality.
The two countries put forward their candidacies after Russia invaded Ukraine, and sought the US military umbrella out of fear of Russian aggression — as the containment of the Western alliance is one of Moscow’s main justifications for invading the neighboring country.
On Thursday, Biden welcomed Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish President Sauli Niinistö to the White House to discuss the countries’ entry into the alliance.
“They meet all of NATO’s requirements and then some,” Biden said, offering “full and complete support.” “While their nominations are being considered, the US will work with Finland and Sweden to remain vigilant for any threat to common security.”
All 30 NATO members must approve the membership of any new entrants, and Turkey, which has a close relationship with both Kiev and Moscow, threatens to veto the Nordic countries.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish president, on Thursday reaffirmed his opposition to the candidacies and reiterated his vision that the two countries are sanctuaries for Kurdish “terrorist” organizations.
“We are determined to stand our ground, we have informed our friends and we will say ‘no’ to Finland and Sweden who want to join NATO, and we will persist in this policy,” Erdogan told a youth assembly in Istanbul.
The Biden administration guarantees that the situation will be resolved thanks mainly to American mediation efforts. For his part, the Norwegian secretary general of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, commented that the military alliance will respond to the “concerns” expressed by Turkey.
Alongside Biden, the Finnish president said that his country will discuss all concerns expressed by Turkey about its NATO candidacy. “We condemn terrorism in all its forms and are actively committed to fighting it,” Niinistö told reporters.
Andersson, for his part, said the situation in Ukraine brings to mind “the darkest days in European history”. “During dark times, it’s great to be among close friends,” said the Swede. “And we are here today more united than ever, committed to further strengthening our ties.”
